Tee Times June 2016 by Joe Hall

June 2016 Keeping Golfers Connected in TN, KY, MS, AL, NC

June 2016

Sellers can fix what ails your putting Pages 2-3

Inside!!

14 Westhaven Golf Club Franklin, Tennessee

22 Pat Sellers

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s showtime: Web.com Tour tees it

up at Nashville Golf and Athletic Club Fashionista: Josh Lykins enjoys another side of the golf business Star student: Coley graduates from pupil to teacher at Johnny Warren Golf Academy

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June 2016

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Sellers can fix what ails your putting By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor It happens over and over again — the same scenario played out at golf courses around the world day in and day out. Somebody somewhere has boomed a drive down the center cut and taken dead aim with a tracer iron to within a couple feet of the hole. Easy birdie. Sure par. Then, they gag the birdie putt and miss the comebacker. The blood pressure rises as they stalk off the green with a bogey and the rest of the round goes downhill from there. Two shots that cover 400 yards; three more to finish the last few feet — it’s enough to make a person want to quit the game for good, or at least give the flat stick a high-arching heave into the woods, left for dead. Been there, done that. Putting guru Pat Sellers, founder of Tourputting.com who has set up shop at the Westhaven Golf Academy at Westhaven Golf Club when not working with players on the PGA and Web.com tours,

Pat Sellers

says it doesn’t have to be that way. He should know — he’s been studying the art of getting the ball into the hole ever since he started as a caddie on the PGA Tour in 1983. The Memphis native has been on the bag for tour standouts Loren Roberts, Tom Lehman and Bob Estes. He’s been a tour rep for SeeMore, Rife and Bettenardi putters, as well as SoftSpikes and Eyeline Golf. That gave Sellers some street cred, but it’s also his 30 years of hanging around the practice green and interacting with the Tour pros as they go about their business that helps set Sellers apart in his knowledge of the short game. But that’s not all. In doing research for a book, Sellers has interviewed or talked putting with every PGA Tour pro who statistically ranked No. 1 in putting each year since 1956 when they started keeping track of those stats. “My goal was to look for common traits used by the best putters over seven decades,” Sellers said, “Yes; I found a few that I happily will share during a lesson.”

Pat Sellers with Ben Crenshaw

Sellers is a teacher in a niche market place. There are few instructors who devote the bulk of their time to just teaching that phase of the game. Sellers, who joined the team at Westhaven Golf Academy last year when approached by PGA Professional Virgil Herring, a Top 100 instructor, said three of the most important keys to putting are aim, speed and grip pressure. Get those correct and you already are on the way to improving on the greens. “No. 1 is aim; it sounds very elementary but you’d be surprised,” Sellers said. “No great putter ever says he aims right and pulls them, or aims left and pushes them. They all claim that they were always great aimers and hit it where they were aiming. And, the great putters of today aim it really, really well.” Sellers said all of the great putters he has talked to mentioned speed as being another trait they have in common. “Speed is determined by your grip pressure,” he said. “If you hold it too tight, the putter can’t release. If you hold it too loose, you get too much lag and you can’t control it.” The third common trait he discovered was the ability to maintain the proper grip pressure throughout

the stroke. “I have tested no less than 1,000 people and I can prove that if you tighten up that right hand on the way through, that ball is going left 100 percent of the time,” he said. “What happens is you shut the face down. And, vice versa, if you hold the left hand too tight, the putter face stays open. It’s pretty simple.” Of course, there’s more to it than that. From a confidence standpoint, believing that you are a good putter is part of the battle. Sellers noted that all of the great putters he has talked to said it was that belief system that helped them master the greens. Even George

Chris Cauthen, Head Golf Professional Westhaven GC

June 2016

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The Team at The Golf Academy at Westhaven

L-R: Tim Sygerych, Virgil Herring, Pat Sellers, Matt Walter

Costanza once said, “If you believe it, it’s not a lie”. “Every one of them has told themselves millions and millions of times that they are the best putter,” he said. “At some point, you start believing it. “Loren Roberts is a close friend, “he said of the Champions Tour player who has a reputation for being one of the game’s top putters. “He could go to KMart and buy the worst putter there and he might not be as good as he is with his own putter, but you would still say ‘This guy can really roll the rock.’ ” Sellers got his start teaching putting while representing SeeMore putters. “Being kind of a putter junkie, I was repping SeeMore and studying them and that gave me access to the players,” he said. “Before I knew it, I had guys asking me for help and I had a little business teaching putting. I’ve been doing it ever since.” After traveling extensively for the past 33 years, Sellers was eager for an opportunity to get off the road. That’s when Herring told him about the Westhaven Golf Academy and its team that includes director of player development Matt Walter, a Top 50 junior teacher, and Tim Sygerech, the best club-fitter around. Rounding it out is Herring, a top 100 teacher and a member of the Golf Channel Academy team. “We are very fortunate to have such an accomplished group of instructors and club fitters at Westhaven Golf Club,” said Westhaven head professional Chris Cauthen. “With Virgil Herring, Matt Walter, Tim Sygerych and the addition of Pat Sellers to our team in 2015 as our putting instructor, we feel that we can offer a full range of instruction and club fit-

ting to all levels of players.” “This team has put together a curriculum for not only the golf swing, short game and putting, but also an emphasis on how to play golf,” Sellers said. “Many teachers only teach the swing, but juniors need to learn how to score.” A first lesson with Sellers typically lasts 90 minutes. It starts with a talk about the student’s putting issues. The next step is for the student to be put on the SAM Puttlab (Science and Motion.com) that serves to reinforce in pictures what Sellers has diagnosed through the previous discussion. The next step is fitting the student with a putter with the proper specifications. “Probably 99 percent — maybe 100 percent of all amateurs that come in don’t have a putter that fits them,” Sellers said. “It’s not the right height, weight, lie, loft, grip size. You are behind

Pat Sellers celebrating with 1996 Open Champion Tom Lehman

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the 8-ball when you just go to the store and buy a putter.” One thing that sets Sellers, who uses putting aids from Eyeline Sports, apart from other teachers is that he gives students the drills that the Tour pros use. “I go out there and say, look at David Toms, Loren Roberts, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, they all do the same drill every day,” Sellers said. “It’s not rocket science.” There are other aspects of being a good putter that don’t involve the actual stroke. Getting the ball on the proper part of the green in relation to the pin placement is paramount. Knowing how to read greens is crucial. Sellers teaches those aspects of the game as well. “What makes me tick is when I can see results,” Sellers said. “Whether it is a tour player I work with or an amateur or a junior, when I have somebody call me to tell me they didn’t hit it good but they managed their game well and putt-

ed well, that’s what makes me tick.” For more information about Sellers and the Westhaven Golf Academy, go to Tourputting.com or call 615-3904590 or contact him through TOURPUTTING.com Tom Lehman and Pat Sellers

www.tourputting.com www.Eyelinegolf.com www.Westhavenfranklin.com

Pat Sellers and Brandt Snedeker

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June 2016

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June 2016

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From tHE Editor

By Gregg Dewalt

Golf outing perfect place to catch up with friends

ot at The opening tee sh tacular ec Canyon Ridge is sp

Recently, I got a DM (direct message) via my Twitter account from a former employee. “We should meet up and play golf somewhere and catch up,” the message read. I’d seen the former employee, whom I also consider a friend, only once since he left nearly a decade ago even though we stay in touch via text messages and Twitter. And, there never was an extensive dialogue via either form of communication. So, we both carved out a day from work and found a golf course about midway between where he lives in Georgia and I live in Alabama. He picked the course — Canyon Ridge near Trenton, Georgia — and it was a delightful surprise. But, more on the course in a little bit. The point is that the golf course was a perfect place to catch up on each other’s lives. Sure, you can meet somebody for lunch or dinner, or drinks. Or maybe take in a sporting event to catch up. But is there really a better place in the world than a golf course to spend some relaxed time shooting the breeze with somebody you haven’t seen in years? If you’re at a restaurant, you talk, eat and talk some more and then there is the pressure to move on so the restaurant can seat somebody else. At a sporting event, are you really paying attention to the conversation while watching the action? Canyon Ridge was ideal, as would be just about any golf course. We weren’t pushed to complete the round quickly. There was no pressure to shoot a score — in fact, we didn’t record a single score on the scorecard — and neither of us was grinding to make a putt or put up a number. Nope, it was hit and talk, hit and talk for four hours. We hit some good shots; we hit some bad

shots; and we marveled over the breathtaking vistas Canyon Ridge provides from the hills of north Georgia just south of Chattanooga. The point is that a golf venue on a stress-free afternoon was exactly the right spot to reminisce about the good old days when we worked together, to talk about our families and or jobs. and what lies ahead in the future. I’m not sure there is a better place to spend an afternoon doing something like that than a golf course. The trip to Canyon Ridge from my home in north Alabama was a little adventurous, to say the least. My GPS estimated that drive time to get there at three hours. That proved to be pretty accurate except for that moment of panic when the voice of the GPS told me I had arrived at my destination and there “WAS NOTHING THERE.” Canyon Ridge is in a fairly isolated spot in north

PUBLISHER Joe Hall pgegolf@bellsouth.net

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jon Hamilton jonh2520@att.net

EDITOR Gregg Dewalt

SENIOR EDITOR David Widener widecard@aol.com

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carol Hall teetimescarol@bellsouth.net

Looking back at what golfers face on their approach shot to the sixth green at Canyon Ridge Georgia, and finding someone to ask directions proved challenging. Finally, I spotted a gentleman on a riding lawn mower. “I’m trying to find Canyon Ridge golf course,” I said. “I’ve lived up here 56 years and I’ve never heard of that one,” he replied. “Uh-oh,” I thought, and then realizing that instead of having 1 hour, 40 minutes before my tee time, I hadn’t factored in the time change from Central to Eastern. I was now racing the clock. “This is where my GPS brought me to,” I told lawnmower man. “Yeah, those don’t work too well up here,” he said. “I see 18-wheelers all the time trying to find their way.” “Well, It’s supposed to be off of Highway 157,” I said. “This is 189,” he said. “I saw that,” I said. “Is 157 around here?” Eventually he gave me directions to 157, and

another quick stop for directions got me to the course in time. What I encountered at Canyon Ridge was a picturesque setting and a challenging golf course. The opening tee shot drops probably 100 feet or more onto the fairway and gets the round off to a memorable start. The scorecard lists the yardage from the blue tees as a manageable 6,300 yards, although it seemed to play longer. That’s in part due to the elevation changes. But, the greens were immaculate, the bunkers well-maintained and the fairways in great shape. The only red flag was the sign in the golf cart reminding golfers to be careful when looking for errant shots because there are rattlesnakes and copperheads on the property. Needless to say, we didn’t go looking in the high grass for golf balls. Other than that, Canyon Ridge is a course I would happily make the drive to play again, now that I know where it is. Keep it in the short grass, Gregg

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Nashville Golf Open marks return of PGA Tour to Music City

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor The next generation of PGA Tour stars will take aim at winning the inaugural Nashville Golf Open June 13-19 at the Nashville Golf and Athletic Club as professional golf returns to the Music City in the form of a Web.com Tour event. The competitors might not have the household variety names casual golf fans recognize, but the quality of play won’t be disappointing as the top players tackle one of the mid-south’s top layouts. The Nashville Golf Open marks the return of professional golf to Nashville after a 13-year absence. The most recent PGA Tour affiliated event to visit Nashville was the Champions Tour, which had a 10-year run. The LPGA also set up shop for a 15-year run that ended in 2002. And, the PGA Tour passed through with Ben Hogan winning the Nashville Invitational in 1945.

“This is five years in the making,” tournament director Patrick Nichol said. “We have had such an overwhelming response from course owners Madison Whittemore and his mom Barbara, head pro Brian Jorgenson, and superintendent Alex Price.” Nichol, a Nashville native who is the CEO of Tour Vision Promotions, said the return of professional golf to Nashville is the culmination of his dream dating back to 1990. He’s been involved in more than 275 events, and he played a large part in convincing Tour officials to bring an event to Nashville. “Yes, my long-term dream is coming true,” he said. “No tournament is ever perfect, but you hope you have prepared enough for it and with all the hard work you have a tournament that will

L-R: Patrick Nichol, CEO of Tour Vision Promotions and PGA/Director of Golf Brian Jorgenson

Superintendent Alex Price

1904 Hadley Avenue | Old Hickory, TN 37138 (615) 847-3966 • (615) 847-5055 www.iamoldhickory.com Bruce Devlin, former PGA Tour player and golf course designer. Nashville Golf & Athletic Club, one of his early designs.

A Family Tradition Since 1926

Special Bunkers for Special Members 18 Hole Course Full Driving Range Private or Group Lessons Tennis Courts Fitness Center Pool • Bar and Grill Joey Hickman Director of Golf

be great for all the players, fans and sponsors. I’m thrilled and excited, and hopefully Mother Nature will assist in our plans for this first of what we hope will be many tournaments here.” Madison Whittemore, who owns the course, called hosting the Nashville Golf Open, “a privilege.” “It has created a buzz of honor and excitement in the club that has never been seen before,” he said. “It also has brought a great weight of expectations and emphasis in regards to course quality, condition, and preparation. This has been nothing but a positive for our membership and club as a whole, as it has undoubtedly elevated the entire property to a level it has not been before. As years pass, it will only continue to improve as we look toward the long term future of hosting the event and providing the best club possible for our members. It has been gratifying, seeing both the staff and membership volunteer extra time and effort to aide in all the projects taking place.” Web.com players will encounter a Bruce DevlinRobert Haage design stretching to 7,563 yards that has hosted the Tennessee State Open and will host the 2016 Tennessee Mid-Am Championship. Devlin, with more than 150 designs to his credit, is eager to see how the course holds up against today’s top Web.com players.

“I personally feel that the course will be a good test for the Web.com players,” Devlin said. “I will be interested to see how the PGA Tour sets it up. If it’s in great condition, it will be a stern test of golf.” Devlin said the original design goal was to build a course capable of hosting a U.S. Open. “If we had been able to hold the entire investor group together and in control of the facility, we might have been able to reach our objective,” said Devlin, who played the first round on the course with fellow pro Mason Rudolph, country singer Jerry Reed, and Lew Conner, an avid golfer and local businessman. Host pro Brian Jorgenson said being involved with the PGA Tour “has been an incredible experience for me.” “I have learned so much about our golf course, operation, customer service and who we are as a facility in the community,” he said. “It is very nice to hear all the positive comments about how Nashville Golf and Athletic Club is not the same course and facility we were five years ago. I feel we are now coming into our own as a golf club, finding our identity, re-branding our product to become what we are known for ‘a great piece of property with a fantastic golf course.’ We are all about golf and being a golf club. Our goal is to do that to the best of our ability; we are going to show the Web.com a great product, incredible greens and a true test of golf from 7,563 yards.” Superintendent Alex Price said he and his staff were thrilled to work with the Tour’s agronomists to prepare the course for the Web. com event. “We’ve done a tremendous amount of work in the last sixth months,” he said. “We’ve enjoyed collaborating with the PGA Tour’s agronomists and we look forward to providing a challenging experience for the players and showing off Nashville Golf and Athletic Club.” The total purse for the tournament is $550,000. There will be 12 spots available in the field through local qualifying and four players will receive sponsor’s exemptions. A week-long pass is $35, with all proceeds from ticket sales going to Tennessee Golf Foundation’s First Tee of Middle Tennessee. For more information go to NGOgolf.com

June 2016

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Millard’s 62 sparks SunTrust State Open title run

Tee Times report GALLATIN — It didn’t take Jason Millard long to seize control of the 68th SunTrust State Open recently at The Club at Fairvue Plantatation. Millard shot 10-uder-par 62 in the first round to take a four-shot lead that he never relinquished on his way to the win. Millard, of Murfeesboro, shot 69-69 in the second and third rounds to finish with a 54-hole total of 16-under-par 200. The win was worth $10,000. Millard held off reigning Western Amateur champion Dawson Armstrong by four shots. Armstrong, of Lipscomb University, shot 73 in the first round but made a late charge by shooting 65-66 in the final two rounds to finish at 204. Cordova’s Goodman Rudolph and Nashville’s Eric Ansett tied for third at 207. “This year’s SunTrust Tennessee Open field may

TGA President Dudley Parker presents Jason Millard with the 2016 Suntrust Tennessee Open Trophy

Dawson Armstrong, runner-up and low amateur, is presented his trophy by Matt Vanderpool, Executive Director for TGA

Aces Legacy Golf Course:

Jordan Hughes May 6th – Hole #6 – 137 yards, #9 iron Blake Scarborough May 30th – Hole #3 – 125 yards, Gap Wedge

very well have been strongest in the championship’s 68-year history, which makes Jason Millard’s four-stroke victory even more impressive,” said Matthew Vanderpool, executive director of the Tennessee Golf association. ““The Club at Fairvue Plantation is a perfect venue for the SunTrust Tennessee Open. The golf course is always in great condition and provides our staff with the flexibility we desire in setting up the golf course to challenge the best players in the state” Logan Watkins was in second place after a firstround 66, but couldn’t sustain that pace and finished tied for ninth place at 211. The Tennessee Golf Association would like to express its sincere gratitude to the members of The Club at Fairvue Plantation for the wonderful hospitality shown to the players and tournament officials. “The SunTrust Tennessee Open would not be possible without the generous support we receive from our championship partners,” Vanderpool said. “Our title sponsor, SunTrust Banks, Inc., celebrated its 10th consecutive year serving in that capacity and it means a great deal to us to know that we have the continued support of SunTrust and all of our championship partners.” Patron sponsors of the championship included Page and Tuttle, Callaway, Coca-Cola and Gentleman Jack.

68th SunTrust Tennessee State Open Club at Fairvue Plantation

Millard, Jason Armstrong, Dawson Rudolph, Goodman Ansett, Eric Fox, Steven Crouch, Stoney Hodge, Jonathan Holmes, David Smith, Craig Watkins, Logan Narramore, Chas Bevell, Joshua Garland, Rob Olsen, Zachary Leaver, Grant Jackson, Tim Shore, Davis Nottingham, William Kresge, Cliff Caballero, Brendon Davis, Taylor Flenniken, Casey

Bradford “Bemo” Smith hole in one witnessed by his mother, Alison. Nashville Golf and Athletic No. 14, 125 yards, 8 iron

Murfreesboro Brentwood Cordova Nashville Hendersonville Mount Juliet Knoxville Knoxville Nashville Covington Kingston Nashville Nashville Cordova Centerville Germantown Knoxville Kingsport Kingsport Brentwood Franklin Knoxville

62-69-69--200 73-65-66--204 68-68-71--207 67-67-73--207 69-70-70--209 68-70-71--209 69-71-70--210 69-70-71--210 70-70-71--211 66-71-74--211 70-68-73--211 67-75-70--212 71-70-71--212 74-69-70--213 68-68-77--213 69-73-71--213 74-68-71--213 70-72-71--213 73-68-72--213 69-74-71--214 73-67-74--214 75-71-68--214

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June 2016

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Around Nashville Fairways John Holmes Assistant Director of Parks

Team effort has Shelby GC thriving Shelby Golf Course is bucking the national trend. In a time when many of the nation’s golf courses are stagnant in terms of rounds played and revenue generated, Nashville’s first public golf course that dates to 1924, is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, just like the east Nashville neighborhood where it is located. As recently as 2006, there was speculation the course might close due to the proliferation of new courses. But it survived the downturn and is now thriving. Play has increased from 15,000 rounds in 2013 to more than 20,000 rounds expected this year. Pinpointing the reason for the course’s resurgence is difficult, but most people agree the right team of personnel — both inside and outside — have made a tremendous difference. Head professional Daryl Edens and suPGA/General Manager perintendent Scott Merritt arrived withDaryl Edens in six months of each other, and since then the course slowly has rebounded. Merritt, who will celebrate his 37th time at Ravenwood as the head professional/ anniversary with Metro Parks in November, GM. Focusing on improving customer serspent 18 years at Two Rivers before coming to vice and providing a well-maintained course, Shelby. Edens was confident play would increase, “We tweaked a few agricultural practices, which it has. we lucked out with a string of mild winters “We have tried to build our business with and my crew has worked hard and they are customer service by treating our patrons the outstanding,” Merritt said of course improve- right way,” he said. ments. “My crew is self-motivated, seasoned, Edens spearheaded the move to add new and they take pride in the shape and condition signage on the course, including 150-yard of our course.” markers, and improved the food and beverEdens arrived six months after Merritt and age service. He added merchandise to the pro took over as general manager and head pro- shop and encouraged regulars to participate in fessional. He began his Metro Parks career in a points game each Saturday. And, he reached 2008 as an assistant at McCabe after spending out to nearby communities. Now, Shelby hosts

Team Shelby Outside (l-r): Superintendent Scott Merritt, assistant & irrigation, Rick Howard, Alex Norman, M&R & Vinny GC, Charley Grantham, M&R & mechanic, Jerry Day & JD Grantham, multi-year seasonal workers, and (not pictured) Wayne Butler, a golfer’s knowledge that allows adjustments to course.

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the East High Golf Tournament. The final piece of the personnel puzzle was the addition of Danielle Stewart to the team after eight years at Two Rivers. An accomplished golfer — Stewart played at Whites Creek High School and Tennessee State – and with such diverse interests as watching cartoons and drawing and painting, she has brought a different dynamic to the course. “We have Google to thank for our out-of-town patrons and flyers were placed at hotels and word of mouth in and around our location,” Stewart said of the increased play. “We find ourselves greeting newcomers often now, and they are amazed at such a beautiful course tucked in a city park in East Nashville. Our patrons have a great experience on the course with all that Scott and his amazing crew has done, and our staff inside welcomes them with

Harpeth Hills 2424 Old Hickory Blvd. • 615-862-8493

McCabe 46th & Murphy Rd. • 615-862-8491

Percy Warner Forrest Park Dr. • 615-352-9958

Shelby 20th & Fatherland • 615-862-8474

Two Rivers Two Rivers Parkway • 615-889-2675

Ted Rhodes 1901 Ed Temple Blvd. • 615-862-8463

VinnyLinks 2009 Sevier Street • 615-880-1720

Danielle Stewart an atmosphere that brings them back again and again,” she said. Merritt, Stewart and Edens said the way they all work together is the one constant that has helped Shelby regain its traction. “We work hand in hand, and there is a mutual admiration,” Merritt said. MEET THE SHELBY TEAMS The Inside team: Daryl Edens, Danielle Stewart, Charles Howse, Doug Ingram, Blaik Caplinger Jerry Westmorland and volunteers

Metro Parks Nashvillefairways.com

Greg Harris, Charles Miller, Macon Cosby, George Carpenter, Allen Jones, Marvin Rhodes, Marvin Mathews and Terence Roberts The Outside team: Superintendent Scott Merritt, assistant Rick Howard, Charlie Grantham, Alex Norman, Wayne Butler, Jeremy Day and JD Grantham. We are indebted to these folks, remember to give them a “thank you.” Until next time, keep it in the fairway- John Holmes

June 2016

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Greenwood wins Primetime Player Award Tee Times report COOKEVILLE — Viola Greenwood recently won the Primetime Player Award at the Cookeville/Putnam County Hometown Championship Night. The evening is a celebration of the accomplishments of local athletes. Greenwood, who won the AAU national golf championship and five other tournaments, beat out fellow Primetime Player Award nominees Akira Levy, a Tennessee Miss Basketball nominee, and Cody Dobb, a Tennessee Tech volleyball standout who was a first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection. Greenwood was surprised when her name was announced as the winner. “It was an honor for me just to be nominated for the Primetime Player Award, especially with two other great athletes like TTU quarterback Brock McCoin and Akira Levy, the Miss Basketball finalist,” Greenwood said.

Former Tennessee Tech and current Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Adam Liberatore won the Bobby Greenwood Professional Athlete of the Year award. Former Tennessee Tech women’s basketball coach Marynell

Meadors was the keynote speaker at the event, sponsored by the Cookeville-Putnam County Sports Council. She also was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Lipscomb’s Brewer encouraged by Open results their time at Lipscomb.” Leading the Lipscomb finishers was Brentwood’s Dawson Armstrong, who finished second overall and was the low amateur in the event that features the state’s top professionals and amateurs. Armstrong shot 73 in the first round, but

Tee Times report Lipscomb University golf coach Will Brewer browsed through the results of the 68th Tennessee State Open recently and liked what he saw. Five of his players were in the field, three had top-five finishers and all five were in the top 50. That’s exactly what he wants to see from his team. “These young men’s desire is off the charts,” Brewer said. “I’m not surprised at this performance. As a matter of fact, I would have been surprised if they were not competL-R: Dowling Armstrong, Stoney Crouch, ing well. They prepare and work Dawson Armstrong, Eric Ansett, and Coach on all aspects of improvement. Will Brewer(not pictured, Mikey Feher) They each have improved during

I want to thank all of the “Lads & Lassies” who participated in this two-day tournament. We here at Oak Hills were grateful for your comments, both to myself and our staff along with our board members. We have worked hard to get the course in as some of you commented, “the best shape the course has been in years.” It was good to see those who were returning and playing a tournament that men and women can compete in. The camaraderie of other men and women both on the course and at the meal on Saturday came across to us here. We were glad to attract new faces. Most Lad & Lassie teams are members, however, we welcome nonmembers who want to participate in a great two-day tourney for couples. - Brent Edmister, PGA/General Manager

closed with weekend rounds of 65-66. His 66 was the lowest round shot on the final day. Nashville’s Eric Ansett shot 67-67-73 to finish tied for third, while Mount Juliet’s Stoney Crouch shot 68-70-71 to finish tied for fifth. Signal Mountain’s Mikey Feher was 41s with rounds of 71-72-75, while Brentwood’s Dowling Armstrong was 48th with rounds of 73-73-74. “Coaching can only go so far,” Brewer said. “After the stats and performance indicators are monitored and recognized as presented, then it’s up to the player to implement. They implemented well (at the Open). I am equally proud of their growth as authentic me as their ability to get the ball in the hole. I believe the best is yet to come.”

Championship Flight

Chris Holbert / Alexa Rippy Rick Shoulders / Beverly Shoulders Bart Anderson / Allison Anderson

61-61--122 64-61--125 62-66--128

Rocky Joiner / Phillis Joiner Billy Holder / Jo Ann Holder Jim Putty / Judy Putty Darrell Burton / Tasha Wright Bill Vernich / Kathy Crabtree

69-70--139 70-69--139 73-67--140 69-71--140 69-71--140

First Flight

Second Flight

Bill Gregory / Oniece Gregory 75-70--145 Jeff Putty / Elizabeth Putty 76-70--146 Robbie Meacham / Pattie Meacham 74-73--147 Eugene Bradley / Shirley Bradley 72-75--147 Richard Merrick / Mary Jane Merrick 73-74--147 Bill Mainord / Debbie Mainord 68-79--147

June 2016

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Opinion By David Widener

Member Golf Writers Association of America

Game of golf doesn’t need a timer

ow to get more people to play golf? That was the main topic at the We Are Golf’s National Golf Day event in May as LPGA legend Nancy Lopez and PGA Tour greats Davis Love III and Steve Stricker met with members of the golf industry and members of Congress in Washington, D.C. The U.S. golf industry contributes almost $70 billion to the economy while generating nearly $4 billion annually in charitable donations. However, participation in the sport fell in 2015 to 24.1 million from 24.7 million the previous two years. Lopez points to the fact people are so busy nowadays that their everyday schedules make it difficult to find time for a round of golf. She has a simple fix and it revolves around a core concept of the game: playing 18 holes.

Davis Love III

age) to play a round of golf, but it depends on the skill of the player, traffic on the course, and size of the course. Actually, most of the time is spent getting to the next shots and logistical positioning with only about an hour spent hitting shots. “I’d like to play a game that can take place in three hours,” Jack Nicklaus told CNN in 2015. “I’d quite like to play a game that I can get some reasonable gratification out of very quickly — and something that is not going to cost me an arm and a leg.” Those who don’t play golf say it’s expensive both to prepare for and to play, that it’s difficult which discourages them from trying the sport, and that it’s time consuming, limiting how much they can play. Major League Baseball had similar problem and made Nancy Lopez aseveral rules changes the past couple of years aimed at speeding up its game. Games were averaging over three hours. The new rules cut nearly eight minutes off the average time of a nine inning game. Those rules include timers used to make sure the game resumes within 2:05 at the end of inning breaks, a maximum 2:30 to change pitchers, and 20 seconds for pitchers to throw a pitch after receiving the ball. Why is everyone in a hurry these days any-

“Everybody thinks they have to play 18 holes,” she told USA Today Sports. “In the afternoon when you’re off work, just go putt, or chip or play just three holes or nine holes. Give people another way to learn the game. Charge per hole instead of 18 holes, because you really don’t have to play 18.” Steve Mona, CEO of the World Golf Foundation, said the key is to bring in the younger generation, and golf has several programs Steve Stricker like The First Tee aimed at doing that. Stricker thinks the simplest way to get people involved might be to watch those who play way? it best. He pointed out how young stars of the In my younger days, I enjoyed spending a day PGA Tour like Jordan Spieth and Rory Mcllroy at the golf course because I loved the scenery are transforming how the game is perceived by most possess and being outdoors. Sometimes I the millennial generation. would play 27 holes. As I grew older, I would Technology also plays a role, Love said. “If we play nine holes. don’t bring it into the game, kids are going to My advice is to take as long as it takes to play get bored. We’ve got to modernize.” golf so that you enjoy it. Golf is not a timed It should not take four hours (national aver- game like football or basketball.

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PXG clubs are golf ’s trendy new equipment Tee Times report Probably the greatest new buzz in the golf industry is coming from a new club manufacturer. You might have heard of it: PXG clubs. They are the hottest thing going these days after it was revealed several PGA Tour players have them in their bag. The thing is, they aren’t for everyone. You have to open up your wallet big time to buy a set. According to Parsons Xtreme Golf, the cost is $300 per club. A driver is $700 and a fairway metal is $500. A hybrid and a putter run $400 each. Total cost for a set is approximately $5,000. The big question is whether the clubs are worth the price. For James Hahn, who recently picked up a Tour win with the clubs, the answer obviously is yes. Parsons, a billionaire who made his fortune with GoDaddy, is a golf fanatic who tinkered and tried nearly every club on the market. Finally, he decided to try his hand at making his own clubs. Parsons became friends with Mike

Nicollete, and the two of them decided to go into the club manufacturing business. With cost not a factor, Parsons and Nicollete came up with a design using the best material available. So far, the clubs have received rave reviews across the board. “Our commitment is to do it right,” he has been

quoted as saying. “Then when a golfer hits our clubs, they cannot believe it. We created a golf club that looks like a blade, plays like a cavity back and has a sweet spot the size of Texas. Nobody makes golf clubs the way we do, period.” PXG clubs are custom made and players have to be fitted

for them. There are only two locations in Tennessee that offer them -- Clarksville’s River Club and Music City Golf, Nashville’s newest golf store located on Harding Road in Belle Meade. For more information, contact Eric or Kevin at Music City Golf. www. musiccitygolf.com

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Lykins enjoys a different side of the golf business By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor Joshua Lykins never really left the golf business even though he decided being an assistant golf professional wasn’t his best longterm career move. Instead, Lykins found his niche in the business in other ways. He founded Elite Events of Music City (www.eliteeventsofmusiccity.com) in 2012, and recently has gone full tilt with his Colors 4 Causes apparel line. Now, the occasional golfer and West Virginia native who grew up in Texas and south Florida is having a blast in the industry while helping events raise money for specific charities. “I am still able to be close to the business that I love (golf), but I am able to do what I love while raising money for a number of worthy charities in middle Tennessee in the process instead of working a counter all day in a pro shop.” Lykins found his calling almost by accident. After leaving his job as an assistant pro at Five Oaks, he went to work in the private sector. That didn’t last, he said. “I gave it 90 days and went to my boss and told him it wasn’t going to work,” Lykins recalled. “I left that day and was in the process of organizing a couple of charity events for friends and their favorite charities and sat down and thought, ‘Can this be a job and can I expand it locally to help more people and make a living doing it?’ I decided to give it a shot and my first year I ran two golf tournaments. The following year I ran four and some silent auctions. Today I am a part of over 15 golf events, some in which I run from A-Z and

Vince Gill, looking hip and young in Lykins design jacket

Josh Lykins models his Autism design jacket

others I am just a consultant on and help them save money where available. All aspects of this job are my way of giving back to the community. It’s awesome to know all the hard work pays off in the end for the charity.” The business has expanded from golf as well. Elite Events of Music City can plan, organize and do casino parties, wine tastings, concerts, silent auctions, 5K races, song rounds, and special events like corporate meetings and birthday parties. Better yet, all the events Lykins do raise money for some sort of nonprofit organization, so it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Lykins has a menu from which to choose from. His company can handle all aspects of an event from start to finish, leaving the client worry free, or he can simply serve as a consultant. Even better, the events don’t have to be in Nashville. He’s done events in Louisville, Kentucky and would like to branch out further. “I would love to see it grow into a major deal here in Nashville and take it across the country to events that can use the help,” he said. “My main priority is to raise as much funds as possible to help the charity, so anything I can do to accomplish that is awesome in my book.” Lykins drew inspiration from the Loud Mouth brand — think John Daly — to create his Colors 4 Causes apparel line (www.colors4causesapparel.com). But, he took it a step further. His line consists of men’s and women’s shorts, caps, towels and tumblers. The designs are eye-opening and definite conversation starters.

“I used to be a huge fan of Loud Mouth golf products,” Lykins said. “They are a great company and make some crazy fun stuff. But their pricing just became too expensive, and the product was just so hot and you had to iron them every time you washed them. So I set out to create a brand that is a better quality fabric that is less maintenance and I added my charity kick to it to help others in the process.” The shorts are made from a blend of polyester/spandex, creating a lightweight and comfortable fit. More importantly, Lykins said, “The best part is that you don’t have to iron them.” The shorts come in a variety of team and charity pattern designs. He plans to expand the line to include items such as nursing scrubs, chef coats and other “fun things where people can express their team and charity spirit while supporting others.” Although Lykins still has a passion for golf, he found a different way to contribute to the game. He still plays golf a few times per month, which he said is enough to scratch that itch. But, now it’s about maximizing the potential for his clients. “Running events gives me more enjoyment than playing,” Lykins said, “I think it’s the aspect of being able to know that when I am finished with all the hard work the outcome for an organization is something you can’t replace. Helping others has always been a passion of mine that my mother instilled in me from a very young age. “It’s unique with how it works for me now,” he continued. “I don’t play as much, but with my experience in the industry I am able to help a number of companies put together networking opportunities for their clients and raise thousands of dollars in the process for a charity close to my client’s heart. It’s truly a win for all parties and a fun way to create business opportunities for all involved.” For more information, https://www.colors4causesapparel.com/

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Melson excelling at Tims Ford, new bunkers at Montgomery Bell

reetings from the Tennessee Golf Trail. I hope everyone is getting to play some golf and enjoy the sunshine and the great outdoors. Jared Melson took an extended break from the golf business, but he’s been doing great things since becoming the general manager/head golf professional at our Bear Trace Tims Ford facility. Jared has done a remarkable job in his three-year tenure with us and continues to improve the customer experience on the Tennessee Golf Trail. As the golf industry slowly evolves from its downturn, Jared has been able to substantially increase revenue at the course for each of the past three years. “Gumby,” as he is known to most staff members and frequent customers, is from Fayetteville and turned professional in 1991. He’s worked at some of the premier courses in the state. Jared’s first two jobs were as an assistant pro at

Tims Ford clubhouse

clubhouse to grab a sandwich and a drink when making the turn There no longer is an issue with players cutting in front of groups who stopped at the turn, and revenue is up at the snack bar. Influenced by his father, Jared has been playing golf since he was 2 ½ years old. By the time he was 13 he thought he might

Tennessee State Open and was named Middle Tennessee Chapter Player of the Year honors from 1996-1998. He also was named the Middle Tennessee Chapter Public/Resort Merchandiser of the Year in 2013 and in 2015. Approximately 18 months ago, Melson decided that reversing the nines would help the flow between No. 9 and No. 10. After getting approval, the change was made and now, golfers do not have to backtrack to the

Signal Mountain CC and Springhouse Golf Club (Gaylord Springs Golf Links). He became a head professional in 1993 at Gallatin Country Club and spent time at The Legacy Golf Course before becoming a sales rep for Lynx Golf in Tennessee and Kentucky. Bunkers times three But in 2001, he stepped away from the business to become the North Alabama sales manager for Yellowbook USA. He stayed there until getting back in the golf business in 2013. Although he doesn’t play a lot, Jared is a very good player. He holds the Middle Tennessee State University record for career wins with eight, won the 1995

have a chance to play professionally, and he even had a stint on the Golden Bear Tour. Now, he’s content to play in Tennessee PGA Section events. Jared has a great staff working with him, including inside staff members Brent Spencer, Buddy Rambo, Stuart Leonard and Rennie Clark. Tyler Tillman handles maintenance and Chad Garrett is the course superintendent with a hard-working crew, maintaining this

L-R: Project manager Johnny for bunker construction company and superintendent Jeff Kuhns

course with pride. NEW BUNKERS AT MONTGOMERY BELL Montgomery Bell has unveiled its new bunkers. The new bunkers have new sand and are artistic in their design, but they are treacherous. It would be best to avoid them if possible. The newly constructed bunkers will save us on maintenance hours and will allow us time for other projects. Jeff Kuhns, our superintendent and his crew have done a masterful job getting the course into terrific condition for the golf season while working on the bunkers as well. Montgomery Bell is in terrific condition for the season. As always, we invite you to come out and enjoy the Tennessee Golf Trail and enjoy our good nature! Until next month, Mike

Golfers Beware of Bunkers!

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Scott shows improvement at Golf TEC Tee Times report Jud Scott has played a lot of golf, but never felt like he was coming close to reaching his potential. Now, after being selected to receive a free evaluation and free lessons from GolfTEC instructor Jim Stevens and some extensive instruction, Scott has seen noticeable improvement in a short period of time. “I’ve played golf a long time on a regular basis, at least weekly with friends, weather permitting,” Scott said before beginning his instruction. “The problem is, even after many years, I’m not where I want to be. I am so looking forward to getting help with my game.” Scott, a certified public accountant, and Stevens have meshed well since that first evaluation last fall. “Jud has done very well,” Stevens said. “Even with his busy schedule during tax season, we found a way to start improving his game. We’re creating consistency through building better mechanics and adding some distance to his game.” Scott is turning into one of many success stories for Stevens, who earned his PGA Class A status in 2005 after attending the Mississippi State University’s PGM program. After holding several club jobs, he joined GolfTEC and has been worked with it ever since. He had previous stops with GolfTEC in Hous-

Jud Scott

ton, San Antonio and Memphis before returning to Brentwood, his hometown. During his teaching career, Stevens estimates he has given 22,000 lessons ranging from beginning players all the way to professionals. So, why go to an instructor? “To enjoy the game for the rest of their life,” Stevens said. For Stevens, help comes a little bit at a time as opposed to a massive overhaul all at once. “You can’t work on too many parts of the golf swing at one time,” he said. Scott is a testament to improving a little bit at a time. “GolfTEC’s system is top notch,” he said. “From day one, Jim was awesome. He was patient but firm, reminding me of what a proper grip, stance should be. He’s keeping tabs on

Jim Stevens my stance, swing plane. Words cannot describe what a big help he was to me.” Scott has already learned more about his swing in a short time than ever before, and he plans on continuing working with Stevens. “I’m not through yet,” he said. “I plan on more lessons in the fall. I’ve learned to get out of the sand with more ease and now when I hit an errant shot, I know what I did wrong because of the work Jim has done with me working on my biggest issues.”

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Equipment Corner Exotics DG Tour Series putters debuts two new models The lineage of the David Glod Tour Series putters continues to grow with the introduction of two new models, series 4.1 (oversize flange) and 5.1 (center-shafted heart back. With over 30 years of experience designing clubs, Glod’s additions to the Tour Series are beautifully hand-crafted with the latest technology creating a dream-like putter. “These two designs are the most unique designs to come out of the DG line,” said Glod, president and founder of Tour Edge. “They are designed with a heavier head weight style of putting in mind. The response and feel is remarkable.” The David Glod Tour Series putter line consists of five distinct designs. The new 4.1 and 5.1 putter heads are a solid 365

grams. The 5.1 features a center shaft configuration and both models offer an optional counterbalanced grip. The Super Stroke + PLUS SERIES grip adds a 50g back-weight to achieve optimum balance and putts that drop more often. To deliver the ultimate in feel and touch, the putters are entirely CNC milled from a solid block of carbon steel. The milled Xgrip face pattern provides unprecedented feel and control on the green and reduces skidding. The responsive, pure feel and feedback of the face design translates to incredible accuracy and touch. In addition, each putter has a hand-rolled leading edge ensuring that each stroke glides smoothly through the ball, even in the longer grass on the fringe. Enhancing the setup, the putters feature a

True Temper step-less steel shaft that provides a clean appearance at address and a firm, responsive feel. Two sophisticated finishes are available, a silver-bead finish or black PVD finish. The new models come in standard length, 33, 34, and 35 inches with the Exotics Winn grip $249.99, or a Super Stroke 3.0/5.0 grip for $279.99. A coun-

terbalanced option is available in 35, 36, 37, and 38 inches, with a Super Stroke black/white 2.0 XL, 50-gram grip with a changeable weight, $299.99. Series 1.3 (full offset cavity back blade), 2.3 (half offset cavity blade), 3.3 (semi-mallet), 4.1 (oversize flange), and 5.1 (center shafted heart back). Every Tour Edge club comes with a lifetime warranty and a 30-day play guarantee. For information, call 1-800-5153343 or go to touredge.com.

GolfBuddy adds Voice 2 to 2016 lineup GolfBuddy made its mark in the golf GPS industry when the original talking GPS, the Voice, was introduced in 2012. The Voice 2 is the second generation to the best-selling Voice in GolfBuddy’s line of audio distance measuring devices. With a simple click of one button, the golfer can get the distance to the center of the green as well as the front and back. This easy-to-use talking GPS is perfect for the golfer who wants the yardage in-

formation without the hassle. As the latest in GolfBuddy’s line of talking golf GPS, the Voice 2 boasts an increased battery life of up to 14 hours and can be used on back-to-back 18-hole rounds. A new bonus feature available is the ability to switch between a male and female voice for distance readings depending on the golfer’s preference. GolfBuddy strives for convenience and versatility with the Voice 2’s built-in clip.

A line of accessories was created specifically for the Voice 2 and it can be clipped on a hat to provide distance readings directly into the ear, but can also be worn as a watch or be clipped onto a belt, pocket, etc. “GolfBuddy wouldn’t be where it is now without the original Voice, so we are excited to have created a new generation of talking GPS in the Voice 2,” said Harry Jung, creator and president of GolfBuddy. “The Voice 2 comes with everything the Voice had but with superior specifications.” The Voice 2 not only offers distances to the front, back and center of the green and is water resistant, but also has a shot distance measurement feature. Like all GolfBuddy GPS products, the Voice 2 features dynamic green viewing capabilities based on the golfer’s position, automatic course and hole recognition, and comes pre-loaded with over 38,000 courses worldwide with free lifetime software and course updates. The GolfBuddy Voice 2 has a MSRP of $149.99.

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Thomas Magnant/Director of Instruction for NSOG at Pine Creek Golf Course

John Stewart Legacy Men’s Golf Association Match Play Champion

“I am extremely happy to be a part of the team at the Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf at Pine Creek and am exited for what the future holds here. We’ve had a great first couple of months at Pine Creek featuring the launch of out QSOG Junior Academy which is a junior performance program centered around long-term athletic development for golfers ages 6-17. We’ve also launched multiple Adult game improvement programs including our How Low Can Your Handicap Go program which includes 1 on 1 private lessons and group training sessions for maximum improvements for the golfers of all skill levels.” Thomas Can be contacted Via email at tommymagnant@gmail.com, By Phone at (920)309-2751, and also can be found on Twitter/Instagram at tmagnantgolf

June 2016

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Boo finds niche as teacher, coach By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor Steven Boo likes to teach, likes to serve as a mentor. And, the Nashville Golf and Athletic Club first assistant golf professional has found a niche, not only at his club but on the college level too. When Boo isn’t teaching and taking care of his many other duties at the NGAC, you likely can find him assisting David Head with the Trevecca Nazarene women’s golf team. It’s a part of the industry he loves. “I got started as a volunteer assistant for the Vanderbilt women’s golf team in 2004,” Boo said. “(Then coach) Martha Richards gave me an opportunity to assist and be a member of her staff for three years and I can’t thank her enough.” While at Vanderbilt, Boo worked with some of the best women’s college players in the country. Two years ago, he became Head’s assistant. Trevecca has won four straight GMAC championships, including two with Boo assisting. But Head and Boo have their sights set on bigger things. “Our goal is to build the program into a Top 25 team and compete nationally,” Boo said. “We have a good core with the 2016 GMAC player of the year returning and a solid class coming on campus this

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fall.” Boo’s interest in teaching and mentoring can be traced to his upbringing. “Growing up in the church, I’ve always loved helping people,” he said. “I’m not outspoken and you won’t hear me speaking in front of any size crowd, but one-onone mentorship is where I believe I excel.” Also, Boo did a college internship with the First Tee/ Tennessee Golf Foundation, and after graduation worked at The Little Course and assisted with all of the junior programs. Boo didn’t grow up playing the game. It wasn’t until his senior year in high school that he first played on a whim with a couple of friends. He caught the fever, and the next summer Boo started receiving instruction. Although a relative newcomer to the game, Boo said he convinced the athletic director at his junior college to let him compete in a regional tournament, where he shot 82-78-80 “I had no idea what I was doing, but it was a lot of fun,” said Boo, who even taught the AD’s golf class late in the semester.

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It’s no surprise that those early experiences — First Tee, teaching a golf class — helped shape Boo’s love of teaching. “It’s my favorite part of my job,” he said. “I love coaching and helping people learn and get better at this game. There is nothing more satisfying than getting a message or text from a player excited about shooting a new low score or hitting it farther than they ever have before.” A Nashville native, Boo migrated south to a club in Naples, Florida, before moving back to the Music City to take an outside service job at Richland Country Club. He also worked part-time at NGAC for a while before getting on full-time. At Nashville Golf and Athletic Club, Boo supervises two inside shop attendants and approximately 10-to-12 outside service attendants. Most of his teaching is done in the afternoon. He’s also made a favorable impression on Brian Jorgenson, the club’s director of golf. “Steven is a very quiet, kind and humble young man,” Jorgenson said. “I have had the pleasure to work with him for the last three years, and it has been a very smooth ride. Steven takes care of business, manages schedules, runs tournaments, handles the day-to-day operations and still manages to be the assistant coach at Trevecca for their golf teams. The players on that team have the utmost respect for Steven, just like the membership here at NGAC.”

Steven Boo Like most professionals, Boo said he doesn’t get to play as much as he would like. “I love to play and I love competition, but I don’t get to do enough of it,” he said. “Most (club pros) don’t play much golf.” Regardless, Boo still loves his job. “The family atmosphere here is great,” he said. “NGAC has one of the best memberships in the area. And when you combine the membership with our great owners, the Whittemore family, it has become a place that I enjoy driving to every day.” Jorgenson said Boo is well on his way to becoming a head pro in the near future. “Steven carries himself in a very professional manner on and off the course,” Jorgenson said. “He will soon make a very good head professional at one lucky club. The PGA of America is fortunate to have Steven in the program, just like we are fortunate to have him at Nashville Golf & Athletic Club.”

June 2016

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Magnolia Grove thrives under Martino’s direction By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor MOBILE — Paul Martino has one of the best jobs at one of the best golf facilities in Alabama. Martino is the director of golf at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail facility at Magnolia Grove. He’s been there for 14 years, so he must be doing something right to have that much tenure at one of the Trail’s most popular sites. Magnolia Grove is considered one of the jumping on or jumping off sites of the Trail, and annually is one of the most played venues. Magnolia Grove features two 18-hole championship courses and a renowned short course. Like most of the other Trail sites, Magnolia Grove has something for everyone. And Martino oversees it all. “Magnolia Grove and all of Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail sites are great courses at reasonable prices,” he said. “You can play them as easy or as tough as you like.” At Magnolia Grove, though, golfers can tee it up where Tour professionals have played. The Crossings Course, named for the railway line that runs through the course, is the more popular of the two championship courses. It has hosted the Web.com Tour Championship and has been a favorite stop on the LPGA Tour. This fall it will host the second stage of the PGA Tour’s qualifying school.

“It’s an open parkland style golf course with several marshes and lakes,” Martino said. “The back nine features several crushed oyster shell waste areas.” The Falls Course is named after the large waterfall on the 10th hole. More picturesque and more difficult than the Crossings Course, the Falls Course features large, sloping greens guarded by massive cloverleaf bunkers. It is the only par 71 course on the Trail. Not to be overshadowed, the Short Course has been rated as the best short course in the nation according to several national publications. When you think short courses, the Trail’s versions are hardly of the pitch-andputt variety commonly associated with the terminology. Instead, they are as challenging as any 18-hole championship a person can encounter. The Short Course at Magnolia Grove provides a challenge from any of the tees. Holes can play as short as 71 yards

Paul Martino or as long as 215 yard with greens guarded by water and bunkers. Even playing from the front tees can be challenging. “It fits players of all skill levels,” Martino said. “It allows you to play all the shots — uphill, downhill and over water.” One thing that surprises first-time visitors

The Falls, No. 10 and No. 11

to Magnolia Grove is the elevation changes they encounter on a coastal course. “It really does surprise them,” said Martino, who spent four years at Dothan’s Highland Oaks stop on the Trail. Martino said golf has been in his blood since “I could hold a golf club.” “I come from a golfing family and my father

The Crossings, No. 8

The Crossings, No. 14

introduced me to the game, but he never pushed me to play,” Martino said. “I just fell in love with the game.” Martino’s father was a good amateur player, and he also had an uncle who was a golf course superintendent. A cousin is a PGA of America professional. “I don’t play as much as I used to, but when I do play it’s mostly business or with family,” he said. Martino credits a staff that consists of Greg Hamilton (head professional), Matthew Williams and Brandon Mauch (assistant professionals), and Newt Billingsley (director of maintenance) with helping keep Magnolia Grove among the best sites on the Trail and in Alabama. And, of course he enjoys the people with whom he interacts on a daily basis. “I am a people person,” he said. “I enjoy the interaction. I love being involved with and sharing a game I love.”

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Once a student, Coley now works for her mentor at Johnny Warren Golf Academy Tee Times report Golf has been a part of Chelsey Key Coley’s life since she was six weeks old. At least, that’s the first time the Lafayette native’s father Jeff, an avid golfer, took her to a golf course for a quick nine holes after working the night shift. It was a start of a long-term love affair with the game for Coley, who has been teaching at the Johnny Warren Golf Academy at Fairvue Plantation Golf Course in Gallatin for the past two years. But a person just doesn’t become a teacher overnight. Coley spent a lot of time on the junior circuit and playing countless matches on the boys high school team before moving on to Lindsay Wilson College. “In the Macon County School system, the first time students are allowed to participate on the golf team was sixth grade,” Coley said. “I had played competitively long before, but not with a team. I played on the team from sixth grade up through high school and on until I graduated Lindsey Wilson College in 2011. Back in junior high, to field a team you had to have two members, and since I was the only girl golfer, I competed on the boys golf team during junior high and high school.” Playing on the boys team helped Coley gain a competitive edge. Her competitors didn’t enjoy losing to Coley, and she didn’t like losing to them. “Let’s just say most teenage boys do not

take kindly to getting beat by a 100-pound redheaded girl,” Coley said, smiling. “Most teams in our district, the teams we regularly competed against, finally conceded the fact that more times than not, they weren’t going to beat me so they started pulling for me to succeed, which I was grateful for.” About the only time Coley played against other girls was in district, regional and state tournaments. Coley’s relationship with Johnny Warren dates to her high school days when she began taking lessons from the veteran professional. By then, Coley said she already knew she wanted to become a teaching professional. “I believe I was about 6 when I decided I would become a professional golfer,” she said. “Golf has literally always been my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I tried taking several different career paths and majors during college, but I knew I would never be as happy doing them as I am when I’m golfing or teaching someone else to golf. It wasn’t ever a question of what I would do with my life.” Coley’s first job out of college was at Royal Oaks in Maryville as the head professional of operations, which was a fancy way of saying she did a little bit of everything. But it was a perfect place to get her start in the business and she credits her two years there with helping her grow professionally and person-

ally. When a teaching slot came open at Warren’s golf academy, though, she knew she had to take it. Warren hasn’t regretted hiring his former pupil, either. “Chelsey came to the JWGA a little over two years ago and has done a great job assisting me in the day-to-day operation of the Academy,” he said. “Being a former student of mine has enabled her to adapt quickly to the methods that have proved to be effective for me during my career as a golf instructor. She is definitely one of the best young teachers in Tennessee and I am certainly glad to have her.” Coley considers Warren a mentor and not just a boss. “I took golf lessons from Mr. Warren while playing high school and college golf so he grew into more than a swing coach,” she said. “He is someone that wanted the best for me and knew where I wanted to take my golfing career. He was aware of my love I had for teaching others and giving lessons so when a position came available at his Golf Academy, we both knew it would be a great fit. I’ll never be able to thank Mr. Warren enough for believing in me and trusting my ability enough to bring me on board at his Academy.” Coley enjoys teaching all levels of players — from young juniors to high school and college players and beyond. “Each lesson is different, and each student

Chelsey Key Coley that walks in the door is special to me for one reason or another,” she said. “That’s one of the greatest things about my job — it’s constantly changing. The young players are so funny and never take anything too seriously, which is a breath of fresh air. The high school/college level players are so competitive and have a serious drive to get better—it takes me back to my competitive days of playing and working hard to achieve my goals.” Coley currently is working toward becoming an apprentice in the PGA of America program and wants to earn Class A status. However, it might take her a little longer than expected as Coley and husband CJ are expecting their first child in October.

June 2016

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TEE TIMES

Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf relocates to Gaylord Springs Golf Links

Nancy Quarcelino

The Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf, an innovator and mainstay in golf instruction in Middle Tennessee, relocated its operations to The Golf Institute at Gaylord Springs effective May 2016. Founded in 1992 by PGA Professional and GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher Nancy Quarcelino, the school is recognized as a premier destination for instruction nationwide. Co-owned and managed by LPGA Professional, Rita Reasons, coaching programs provided at the school are designed to help golfers of all levels of ability to play their best golf. “The addition of the Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf is a great complement to the instruction team of PGA pros at our state-of-the-art facility,” said Harry

The Legacy 2 Man presented by Bud Light had a field of 60 teams. The 120 players vied for the championship. Congratulations to our 2 Man Champions and Flight winners. The competition was fierce and all competitors are to be commended for their play- Kevin Holler, Director of Golf

Taylor, director of operations and head golf pro at Gaylord Springs. “We are proud to call Gaylord Springs Golf Links home,” said Quarcelino. “This new location will allow us to provide an exceptional experience for students of the Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf and patrons of Gaylord Springs. We will continue to offer our signature programs as well as developing future multiple day school options and other opportunities.” For more information, please go to www.QSOG. com or call 615-778-8823.

Championship Flight- Jacob Sherlin & Vince Gallagher 1st Flight – Tommy White & Burl White 2nd Flight – Nathan Gass & Chris Davis 3rd Flight – Shane Congdon & Jim Garnett 4th Flight - Kirk Davis & Ty Black

Jacob Sherlin & Vince Gallagher

Tough conditions prevail at Senior State Open

Tee Times report CROSSVILLE — It was survival of the fittest as the state’s top senior players battled challenging conditions at the Senior State Open. High winds in the first round followed by rain in the second round made it difficult for players to get anything going. Only two players broke par in the first round at Stonehenge, and although several players got into red figures the second day, conditions remained tough as rain fell early. When play was complete in the 36-hole event, Stephen Kehrer repeated as the Super Senior Division champion, while Bill Breen and Gibby Gilbert shared the Senior Division title after a one-hole playoff couldn’t deter-

mine the outcome. Gilbert and Breen were among three players who made final-day charges to share the championship, each firing 3-under-par 69 to finish the 36-hole event at 142. Gilbert and Breen each overtook Steve Golliher and Jack Oliver in the second round. Gilbert made the turn at 1-under and built a two-stroke lead with birdies at Nos. 10 and 15. Breen, meanwhile, had a birdie on No. 13 but gave it back on No. 14 with a bogey. Trailing by two shots with three holes to play, Breen pulled even when he holed a 95-yard pitch for an eagle. Both players parred the final two holes and the first playoff hole before deciding to share the crown as darkness de-

L-R: Bob Weber, Bob Diller, Bill Breen, and Gibby Gilbert

Stephen Kehrer,

Super Senior Champ

scended. They edged amateur Jeff Golliher, who was one of only two players to break par with a 71 in the first round. Amateur Steve Golliher shot 75 in the first round but roared back with a 69 in the final round. Kehrer shot 71 in the first round on the way to repeating as Super Senior champion. The defending champion started on the back nine and had and up-and-down opening nine with three bogeys, a birdie and an eagle. He shot 35 on his final nine to record a 71. Playing in the rain in the second round, Kehrer struggled to a 77 but maintained his advantage over amateur Jim Brown, who went 75-75 to close the gap. But he never could wrest the lead from Kehrer, who won with a two-round total of 148. Brown finished at 150 The Tennessee PGA offers special thanks to Jeff Houston, PGA and the rest of the staff at the Stonehenge Golf Course, as well all of our tireless volunteers for helping host another successful tournament.

TEE TIMES

June 2016